Nairobi, Kenya — November 24, 2025 — The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has officially begun rolling out a new Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system designed to improve the speed, accuracy and efficiency of meter reading across the country.
The technology eliminates the traditional method of manually typing meter readings by allowing meter readers to scan meter displays, enabling instant and highly accurate data capture.
OCR System Eliminates Human Error in Meter Reading
Kenya Power’s Commercial Cycle Manager Richard Wida said the innovation will significantly boost billing accuracy while reducing delays.
“Technology is a major driver of our business. With the OCR system, the meter reader will only scan the meter, and the system will automatically pick the readings. This will save time and eliminate human error,” Wida explained.
According to KPLC, the new system will be deployed across all eight operational regions following a successful six-month pilot conducted in Nairobi earlier this year.
1.8 Million Postpaid Meters to Benefit
The rollout targets 1.8 million postpaid meters, which currently require manual monthly reading before billing. Kenya Power says the new system will also help minimise billing anomalies, a key concern raised by many consumers in recent years.
Wida noted that the technology marks a major step in the utility firm’s ongoing digital transformation strategy, which seeks to enhance customer experience and streamline operations.
Background on Kenya’s energy sector reforms can be found on the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority website.
OCR to Complement Existing Digital Platforms
Kenya Power already operates several digital platforms that allow customers to manage their accounts without visiting a service centre. These include:
- MyPower App
- *USSD Code 977#
Through these services, postpaid customers can submit self-read meter readings every month for accurate billing.
“In future, we want to enable the use of OCR in self-reading so that customers can read their meters with minimal chance of error,” Wida added.
For related updates on Kenya’s digital utilities, see more stories on sauce.co.ke.
Expansion of Smart Metering Systems
Beyond the self-service platforms, KPLC has also rolled out smart metering for large power users, SMEs and selected domestic customers.
These smart meters support two-way communication, enabling remote meter reading as well as remote disconnection and reconnection.
More on smart metering technology is available through the International Energy Agency.
